Deadline: 20-Feb-2026
The Martin Roth Initiative provides temporary residencies and support to artists and cultural practitioners at risk, enabling them to continue their work in safe environments in Germany or their regions of origin. The program prioritizes freedom of expression, democratic values, and socially relevant work while offering funding, training, and networking opportunities to host organizations and artists.
Program Overview
The Martin Roth Initiative, launched by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa) and the Goethe-Institut with funding from the Federal Foreign Office, supports artists and cultural practitioners facing threats or persecution. The program ensures the continuation of artistic and socially relevant work, fosters integration into safe environments, and strengthens host organizations’ capacity to provide supervision and collaboration opportunities.
Key focus areas include:
- Protecting artists and cultural practitioners at risk
- Promoting freedom, democracy, peace, and openness in society
- Rejecting all forms of discrimination
- Ensuring the continuity of artistic and socially impactful work
- Supporting host organizations in supervision and integration
- Fostering artistic collaboration and generating positive societal impact
- Promoting gender and diversity in funded projects
Funding and Support
The initiative provides comprehensive support, which may include:
- Monthly scholarships for artists at risk
- Language courses and individual support services
- Training and networking measures
- Financial assistance for host organization personnel costs
- Project guidance and networking opportunities with other hosts and scholarship holders
- Direct grants enabling artists to receive funding without a host organization
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be artists or cultural practitioners committed to democratic values
- Face threats, persecution, or unsafe conditions in their current place of residence
- Have recently left their region of origin after August 29, 2025, or still be unsafe in their current country
- Lack access to a safe country for residence
- Demonstrate sufficient language skills to collaborate with the host institution
- Provide evidence of ongoing artistic or cultural activity with social, cultural, or artistic relevance
Eligible host organizations include cultural and civil society organizations in Germany and the regions of origin that can provide:
- Supervision and integration for the artist
- Opportunities for artistic collaboration
- Capacity to implement funded projects effectively
How to Apply / How it Works
- Identify eligibility: Confirm your status as an at-risk artist or cultural practitioner and review host institution options.
- Select a residency type: Choose between a hosted residency in Germany or your region of origin, or apply for direct grant support.
- Prepare application materials: Include evidence of threats, ongoing artistic activity, social relevance, language proficiency, and proposed residency plan.
- Submit application: Follow the formal application process outlined by the initiative.
- Review process: Applications are reviewed by the initiative and assessed by an independent selection committee.
- Funding decision: Selection is based on risk level, artistic quality, host suitability, social impact, and gender/diversity considerations.
- Commence residency or receive direct support: Artists may access scholarships, training, networking, and project assistance during the funded period.
Common Mistakes / Tips
- Ensure proof of active artistic or cultural engagement is included; incomplete evidence may disqualify applications
- Clearly demonstrate risk or persecution in your current environment
- Select a host institution with proven capacity for supervision and integration
- Highlight socially relevant or impactful work that contributes to communities or cultural dialogue
- Include gender and diversity considerations in your project plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who can apply to the Martin Roth Initiative?
Artists and cultural practitioners facing threats or persecution, committed to democratic values, and active in their field. - Can I apply if I am currently residing in a safe country?
No, applicants must not have access to a safe country for residence. - What types of support are available?
Monthly scholarships, language courses, training, networking, project guidance, and financial assistance for host organization expenses. - Can I apply without a host organization?
Yes, through direct grant funding, artists can receive support independently. - How is my application assessed?
Based on the level of threat, artistic quality, social relevance, host capacity, project impact, and gender/diversity considerations. - Is recent artistic activity required?
Yes, applicants must provide evidence of ongoing artistic or cultural work with proven relevance. - Who makes the final funding decisions?
An independent selection committee reviews applications and determines funding based on evaluation criteria.
Conclusion
The Martin Roth Initiative offers critical support for artists and cultural practitioners at risk, enabling them to continue their socially relevant work in safe, supportive environments. Through residencies, grants, and networked collaboration, the program safeguards creativity, strengthens host capacities, and promotes democratic values, gender inclusion, and diversity in the arts.
For more information, visit Goethe-Institut.